Fire-escape.



Patented-Sept. ll, I900. C. L. BUDDENBOHN & W. SPEER.

F l R E E S C A P E. (Appiication filed Jan. 29, 1900.

2 Sheets-Sheet i.

(No Model.)

Ciarlezsylfi WZZza f f Patented Sept. II, I900. C. L. BUDDENBUHN & W. SPEER.

FIR E E8 CA P E.

(Application filed Jam. 29, 1900.)

- 2 Sheets-Shet 2.

0 rk-VI] (No Model.)

UNITED STAT S PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES L BUDDENBOHN AND WILLIAM SPEER, or BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 657,641, dated September 1 1,1900.

Application filed January 29, 1900. Serial No. 3,189. (No model.)

To mZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that we,- CHARLES L. BUDDEN- BOI-IN and WILLIA SPEER, citizens of the United States, residing at Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fire Escapes, of which the following is a specification.

In United States Patent No. 624,432, granted to us May 2, 1899, we have shown and described certain improvements in fire-escapes, in which is employed an automatic governor or brake for controlling the speed of descent of the lowering-rope, so that the same will remain constant, no matter what the weight of the passenger thereon may be. The said patented device contemplates the use of a flexible loweringrope made of hemp or other like material, which is wound upon a drum, is unwound against the action of controllingsprings and the automatic governor referred to, and is rewound by said springs. The rope is laid upon the drum when wound in layers, and it is necessary after one passenger has descended to return the free end of the rope to its uppermost position wound upon the drum before a second passenger can be lowered. According to our present invention we employ substantially the same form of governor for regulating the speed of descent of the passengers; but instead of using a rope of hemp or other like flexible material wound in layers upon the drum we employ a metallic cable of sufficient length to just reach the ground from the story in which the device is placed and wind the same upon the drum in such manner that when one end of the rope or cable is paid out during the descent of the passenger a corresponding amount will be wound thereon from the opposite end, the result of this construction being that when a passenger has been lowered and one end of the rope is adjacent to the ground the opposite upper end of the rope is ready for the attachment of another passenger to be lowered. All tension-springs for resisting the rotation of the drum and for causing the rewinding thereof are thereby dispensed with. In order, however, that the progressive lateral movement of the lowering-rope as a whole upon the drum may be prevented, we provide a novel form of ropeguide consisting of a fixed ring or sleeve surrounding the drum and provided with a spirally-arranged groove or thread, in which. the rope fits and is guided. We also provide novel means for maintaining the coils of the rope on the drum in close frictional contact therewith and means for varying the speed of descent of the lowering-rope. We also provide a novel form of brake whereby the descent of the passenger may be arrested at any point.

The details of construction of the invention will be hereinafter more fully described, and What we regard as new will be defined in the claims.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a front elevation of our improved fire-escape, showing the same in its normal position ready for use. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the casing which incloses the operative parts of the device. Fig. 4 is a section on the line l t of Fig. 3 looking to the left. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3 looking to the left. Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3 looking to the right. Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view illustrative of one of the rope-pressers. Figs. 8 and 9 are detail views of the brake and the operating means therefor, and Fig. 10 represents detail perspective views of one end of the controlling-lever for the brake mechanism and the cams on the casing with which the same cooperates. The frame of the device is made up of a back plate 1 and a face-plate 2, arranged in parallel relation to each other and secured together and spaced apart by a plurality of rods 3 3. The plate 1 is formed with the slotted projection 4 on its upper side, by means of which the device may be supported, and has secured to one side thereof and extending outwardly therefrom a bracket 5, in which is mounted a reel 6, on which the free end of the lowering-rope 7 is wound and stored when the device is not in use.

Connecting the plates 1 and 2 and located centrally thereof is a fixed shaft or spindle 8.

Mounted to turn on this shaft or spindle is a drum 9,having its periphery cut away slightly, as shown at 10, so that said drum in crosssection is polygonal in shape. Projecting beyond the active face of said drum and upon the inner end thereof is a gear 11, within which is formed in the upper surface of the drum a recess 12. Surrounding the drum 9 is a rope-guide 13, the same consisting in the with a continuous spiral groove 14. At one end of said groove is an opening 15 for the entrance of the lowering-rope 7 from the reel 6, and at the opposite end of said groove is an opening 16 for the passage of the loweringrope 7 from the groove. It will be observed that when the parts arein operative position the coils of the lowering-rope upon the drum 9 will lie within the spiral groove 13, so that in the unwinding of the lowering-rope in either direction progressive lateral movement of said rope as a whole on said drum will be prevented. It will be readily understood that when a rope or cable is wound'upon a drum, spool, or other cylindrical object and one end is drawn outwardly while the opposite end; thereof moves freely there will be a constant progressive movement of the rope or cable on g If a rope or cable of sufficient diameter to support a heavy passenger be used of, say, sixty feet in length,

the cylindrical object.

and this progressive movement of said rope on the drum be permitted, it would be necessary to employ a drum several feet long. The use of a fixed stop or flange at one end or the other of the drum instead of preventing this progressive movement would cause a binding action between the rope and said flange which would stop the rotation of the drum and the The object, therefore, of the feature of our invention just described is to prevent the progressive lateral movement of the loweringrope as a whole on thedrum, and thereby permit of the use ofa drum of just sufficient length to enable the proper number of coils to be wound thereon.

The polygonal shape of the outer surface of the drum 9 provides for a close engagement between the lowering-rope 7 and said drum and decreases the liability of the rope slipping on said drum without turning the same. In order, however, to insure closer operative contact between the rope 7 and the drum 9 and to augment the elfect of the polygonal shape of said drum, we form in the sleeve 13, which constitutes the rope-guide, a plurality of openings 17, preferably arranged in pairs and communicating directly with the groove 14 in said sleeve. In these openings lit the pins 18, forming parts of a pluralitypf rope-pressers 19, each of the same consisting of a base or plate 20, to which said pins 18 are secured, and a spring 21, secured to said plate and engaging the inner surface of the cylindrical shell or casing 22 of the device. By this construction it will be observed that the pins 18 which engage the outer surface of the lowering-rope 7 in the groove 14 tend to normally force said rope by spring-pressure into contact with the outer surface of the drum 9.

Fitting loosely upon the shaft or spindle 8 is a toothed sleeve or pinion 23, rotated from I the drum 9 through asystem of multiplyingform of our invention herein shown of a fixed ring or sleeve provided on its inner surface gearing consisting of a gear 24:, meshing with the gear 11 on the drum 9 and gears 25, 26, 27, and 28, the latter gear meshing with the sleeve or pinion 23, heretofore referred to. The rotation of the drum 9, therefore, will cause a corresponding rotation of the sleeve 23 at a higher rate of speed. Secured to the toothed sleeve or pinion 23 are radially-arranged arms 29 29, on which are mounted outwardlymovable brake-blocks 30 and springs 31, engaging the outer ends of said blocks 30 and the inner ends of heads or nuts 32 on said arms 29. The brake-blocks 30 cooperate with the brake-shoe 33, consisting of a plate connected to the sleeve or pinion 23, so as to be rotated thereby, but capable of longitudinal movement independently thereof. The said shoe fits within the recess 12 in the drum 9 and is adapted to engage the inner face of said drum for resisting the movement of said drum. The said shoe is formed with a plurality of flanges 34: 34: thereon, arranged in pairs, provided with inclined outer edges, and adapted to be engaged by the brake-blocks 30, heretofore referred to. This construction is substantially the same as that disclosed in our prior patent referred to, the operation being that upon the rotation of the sleeve or pinion 23 the brakeblocks 30 will be thrown outwardly by centrifugal force and caused to engage the inunwindlng of the lowering-rope altogether.

(-lined edges of the flanges 34 on the brakeshoe 33, with the result that said brake'shoe is forced longitudinally into engagement with the inner face of the drum 9. The degree of force exerted by said shoe on the drum 9 will be dependent upon the speed of rotation of the sleeve or pinion 23, which is driven from said drum. It makes no difference, then,what the weight of the passenger on the loweringrope may be, the speed of rotation of the drum 9, and consequently the speed of descent of the passenger, will remain constant.

In connection with the parts just described we have provided a novel means whereby the speed of descent may be varied in the event that it should become necessary in cases of emergency, when a tire is raging furiously or the number of passengers to be lowered is.

abnormally great. Secured to the inner side of the face-plate 2 of the frame of the device is a plurality of cams 35 35, consisting, in the form of our invention herein shown, of projecting pins having inclined faces. These cams are arranged around the opening in the plate 2, through which the shaft or spindle 8 passes, and cooperating therewith is a lever 36, mounted loosely on the shaft or spindle 8 and engaging the outer end of the sleeve or pinion 23, as clearly shown. The face of the operating-lever 35, adjacent to the plate 2, is

formed with a series of notches 37, with inclined walls forming one side of the same. \Vhen the lever is in one position, the cams 35 are adapted to fit within said notches 37, but when said lever is moved to another position the inclined walls of said notches ride over said cams and cause the longitudinal movement of the lever 36 on the shaft or spindle 8. The normal position of the lever is with the cams 35 engaging the highest surface thereof, and the same is maintained in this position by a coil-spring 38, connected to a hook 39 on said lever and to a corresponding hook or projection on the inner side of the face-plate 2-. \Vhen the lever is in its normal position, as described, the sleeve or pinion is held away from the inner side of the face-plate 2, and upon the rotation of said sleeve the brake'shoe 33 will, through the means described, be forced into close engagement with the inner face of the drum 9.

If it be desired to increase the speed of descent of a passenger from any cause, it is merely necessary to move the outer projecting end of the lever 36 downwardly against the action of its spring 38, when the notches 37 in the lever will come opposite the cams 35 and longitudinal movement of said lever on the shaft or spindle 8 will be permitted. This longitudinal movement of the lever Will permit of a corresponding longitudinal movement of the sleeve or pinion 23 toward the face-plate 2, the result being that the pressure of the brake-shoe 33 on the drum 9 will be relieved and said drum will be permitted to rotate faster. The speed of said drum may be accurately controlled by moving the lever 36 throughout a greater or smaller arc.

Under some circumstances it may be found necessary to check the descent of the passenger on the lowering-rope altogether, and to effect this we have provided a supplemental hand-operated brake, consisting of a lever 40, fulcrumed to the inner side of the face-plate 2, provided with a projecting handle 41 at one end, and a lug or projection 42, constituting its engaging portion at the other end. The said lug by shifting the lever 40 may be thrown into engagement with the sleeve or pinion 23 and the rotation of said pinion, and consequently of said drum which is connected therewith, stopped. A spring 43, con nected to the lever 40 at one end and to a fixed part on the inner side of the plate 2 at the other end, is provided for normally holding the engaging portion or lug 42 out of contact with the sleeve or pinion 23, referred to.

It will of course be understood that in using our apparatus the ordinary strap or harness passed around the body of the passenger is employed, which strap is adapted to be connected to either end of the lowering-rope 7, each end of the said rope being provided with a snap-hook 44 for this purpose.

We have heretofore described the drum 9 as being formed with a polygonal outer surface fer the purpose of enabling close gripping action between the lowering-rope 7 and said drum. It is obvious, of course, that instead of making the active face of the drum polygonal it may be concaved, grooved, corrugated, or otherwise provided with indentations for enabling an effective non-slipping engagement between the lowering-rope and said drum. By the term polygonal, therefore, in referring to the shape of the active face of the drum 9, we desire to include all such obvious changes in the shape of said drum as are above referred to;

Having now described ourinvention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a fire-escape, a rotatable drum, a lowering rope or cable wound in a plurality of coils thereon, and means embracing and engaging said coils for preventing the progressive lateral movement of said rope or cable as a whole along said drum.

2. In a fire-escape, a rotatable drum, a lowering rope or cable wound in a plurality of coils thereon, and a rope-guide embracing and engaging said coils for preventing the progressive lateral movement of said rope or cable as a whole along said drum.

.3. In a fire-escape, a rotatable drum, a low ering rope or cable wound thereon, and a ropeguide embracing said drum and provided with a spiral groove on the inner surface thereof, as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a fire-escape, a rotatable drum, a lowering rope orcable wound thereon, and a ropegnide for preventing the progressive lateral movement of said rope or cable as a whole along said drum, the same consisting of a fixed sleeve or ring surrounding said drum, provided with a spiral groove on the inner surface thereof and having openings for the passage of the lowering-rope at the opposite ends of said groove.

5. In a fire-escape, a rotatable drum, a lowering rope or cable wound thereon, a sleeve surrounding said drum, and a rope'presscr extending through said sleeve and engaging said rope or cable for maintaining the latter in contact with said drum.

6. In a fire-escape, a rotatable drum, a lowering rope or cable Wound thereon, a ropeguide surrounding said drum and provided with a spiral groove on its inner surface in which said rope fits, and rope-pressers for holding said rope in contact with said drum, the same consisting of inwardly, springpressed pins extending through openings in said guide and engaging the outer surface of said rope.

7. In a fire-escape, the combination with a shaft or spindle, a rotatable drum mounted thereon and a lowering rope or cable wound upon said drum, of a brake longitudinally movable on said shaft or spindle for controlling the speed of rotation of said drum, a sleeve or pinion driven from said drum for throwing said brake into operation,and means for permitting the longitudinal movement of said sleeve on said shaft or spindle, whereby the degree of pressure of said brake on said drum may be controlled.-

8. In a fire-escape, the combination with a shaft or spindle, a drum mounted to turn thereon, and a lowering rope or cable wound on said drum, of an automatic governor for controlling the speed of rotation of said drum, the same consisting of a brake-shoe longitudinally movable on said shaft or spindle and adapted to engage said drum, inclined engaging portions on said shoe,- a sleeve loosely mounted on said shaft or spindle and driven through intermediate gearing from said d rum, means on said sleeve actuated by centrifugal force for throwing said brake-shoe into operation, and means for changing the position of said sleeve on said shaft or spindle, as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In a fire-escape, the combination with a shaft or spindle, a rotatable drum mounted thereon and a lowering rope or cable wound upon said drum, of a brake longitudinally movable on said shaft or spindle for controlsleeve or pinion driven from said drum for throwing said brake into operation, a lever mounted to turn on said shaft or spindle and engaging said sleeve at one end, and means actuated by the turning movement of said lever for moving the same longitudinally on said shaft or spindle, and thereby causing a similar movement of said sleeve on said shaft or spindle for Varying the speed of rotation of said drum.

10. In a fire-escape, the combination with a shaft or spindle, a rotatable drum mounted thereon and a lowering rope or cable wound upon said drum, of a governor for controlling the speed of rotation of said drum, the same comprising a brake-shoe longitudinally movable on said shaft or spindle and adapted to engage one face of said drum, inclined engaging surfaces on said shoe, a toothed sleeve or pinion loosely mounted on said shaft or spindle and driven from said drum, radiallymovable brake-actuating blocks carried by said sleeve, the same adapted to be thrown outwardly by centrifugal force and to bear against theinclined engaging surfaces on said brakeshoe, inwardly-projecting cams on a fixed part of the frame adjacent to said shaft or spindle, and a lever mounted to turn on said shaft or spindle, normally engaging one end of said toothed sleeve or pinion and provided with correlative devices for said cams, whereby upon the turning movement of said lever, said sleeve is moved in one direction or permitted to be moved in the other direction, as and for the purpose set forth.

11. A friction device for a drum and a cable or rope winding thereon, said device consisting of a fixed casing surrounding the drum and having an internal thread for the passage of the cable or rope, the thread terminating near its ends in apertures for the passage of the cable or rope to the outside of the casing,

substantially as shown and described.

12. A friction device for a drum and a cable or rope winding thereon, said device consisting of a fixed casing surrounding the drum and having an internal thread for the passage ;of the cable or rope, the thread terminating near its ends in apertures for the passage of the cable or rope to the outside of the casing,

' said apertures being located on opposite sides of the casing, substantially as shown and described. ling the speed of rotation of said drum, a

13. A friction device for a drum and a cable or rope winding thereon, said device consisting of a fixed casing surrounding the drum and having an internal thread for the passage of the cable or rope, the thread terminating near its ends in apertures for the passage of the cable or rope to the outside of the casing, the walls of the thread being arranged to separate the coils of the rope or cable from each other, as set forth.

14:. A friction device for a drum and a cable or rope winding thereon, said device consisting of a fixed casing surrounding the drum and having an internal thread for the passage of the cable or rope, the thread terminating near its ends in apertures for the passage of the cable or rope to the outside of the casing, said thread separating the coils of the rope or cable from each other, and holding the cable or rope in frictional contact with the peripheral surface of the drum, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof We have hereunto set our hands in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHAS. L. BUDDENBOHN. WILLIAM SPEER. Witnesses:

ROBERT C. RHODES, THos. S. WA'rnRs, Jr. 

